29.01.2026 11:21
A pilot project for red meat production has been put on the table in Erzurum. The project aims to support the production of fattening material by using male sperm from beef breeds, specifically targeting the production of beef breed crossbred fattening animals from breeding animals that are not primarily used for hybrid and breeding production. It was emphasized that Erzurum, chosen as the pilot province, offers significant advantages for the project due to its vast pasture and meadow areas as well as its large cattle population.
The Erzurum Metropolitan Municipality held a comprehensive meeting on red meat production in the Council Hall. The meeting was attended by Erzurum Governor Mustafa Çiftçi, Metropolitan Mayor Mehmet Sekmen, meat producers' associations, veterinarians, and representatives of relevant stakeholder institutions. The meeting addressed the current status of the red meat sector, increasing production capacity, efficiency, sustainability, and field applications.
PILOT PROVINCE SELECTED: ERZURUM
The pilot implementation of a project prepared in collaboration with the Ministry and the Turkey Red Meat Producers Association, aimed at popularizing artificial insemination using gender-determined (male) sperm, was introduced at the meeting. Within the scope of the project, it is aimed to produce beef breed crossbred livestock from female animals that are primarily outside of hybrid and breeding production, using beef breed male sperm to support the production of fattening material. It was stated that support for the calves born would be provided by the Red Meat Producers Association to the breeders participating in the project.
ADVANTAGE OF WIDE PASTURE AND MEADOW AREAS
In the evaluations made during the meeting, it was emphasized that Erzurum's wide pasture and meadow areas, along with its large cattle population, provide an important advantage for the project. It was expressed that if the pilot implementation is successful, the project aims to be expanded throughout Turkey.
Additionally, it was highlighted that for the application to succeed in the field, it is important to make the right animal selection, to exclude infertile animals from the scope, and to conduct the application in narrower, controllable areas. It was reported that veterinarians would play a central role in the process, and monitoring and inspections would be carried out through a mobile artificial insemination system.